Sunday, August 21, 2011

Don't want to get political cuz that I am not. However I do want this guy om my Latino Pride page. Antonio is the perfect example of why I started this page. Antonio is an everyday guy that did something extraordinary in his community and it wasn't for fame or fortune, but just because he new it was the right thing to do.

Antonio, you are a Latino to be proud of. Thank you for your courage!

Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The man who chased down a suspected child abductor and saved a 6-year-old girl from what could have been a horrible fate was honored as a hero Friday. But he is also gaining a new kind of celebrity: as a poster child of sorts for immigration rights in state and national immigration debates.

Antonio Diaz Chacon, 23, is married to an American and has been in the country for four years. But Chacon says he abandoned attempts to get legal residency because the process was difficult and expensive.

Diaz Chacon revealed his immigration status to Univision this week and confirmed to The Associated Press that he is illegal, prompting chatter on the Internet and social networking sites that his case underscored immigrant rights positions in two ongoing political debates.

Some argue he is an example of the kind of immigrant the federal government will now largely leave alone. The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that deportations would focus on criminals.

"As exceptional as his story is," said Christina Parker, a spokeswoman for Border Network for Human Rights in El Paso, Texas, "it points to the fact that most undocumented immigrants living in the United States are not criminals. He's more than not a criminal now. He's a hero."

Others used it to blast New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez's ongoing attempts to repeal a state law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license. The governor has put the repeal, which was defeated in the regular session earlier this year, on the agenda for a September special session.

"Most are just working to support their families and to take away their driver's license would be detrimental to that," Parker said.

Diaz Chacon's status didn't play a role in Albuquerque's decision to honor his bravery. Mayor Richard Berry declared Friday Antonio Diaz Chacon Day in Albuquerque and held an afternoon ceremony where he presented Diaz Chacon a Spanish language plaque recognizing his bravery in jumping in his pickup and chasing the suspect until he crashed into a light pole. Diaz Chacon then rescued the girl as the driver of the disabled van ran into the desert. The suspect was arrested later by police.

Diaz Chacon, with his wife and two daughters, was all smiles at the ceremony, which was also attended by the officers who eventually arrested accused kidnapper Phillip Garcia, 29.

"He says he is really happy and content and there's no larger words for it," his wife Martha, who was translating from Spanish for him, said. "It is a real large happiness."

Asked in a telephone interview with the AP Thursday what would be the best reward for his actions, he said he had already gotten it: a thank you letter from the little girl.

In deciding to hold the ceremony, city officials said the question of Diaz Chacon's immigration status never even came up. Nor was it mentioned at the event.

"Today's proclamation for Mr. Diaz Chacon is to celebrate the heroic actions that he demonstrated when he saved the life of a 6-year-old girl in danger," the mayor's spokesman, Chris Ramirez, said in a statement. "Mayor Berry is proud of Mr. Diaz Chacon's actions and joins the community in honoring his heroism."

The governor's office said its position was unchanged and accused "special interest groups shamefully exploiting this man, who may or may not be here illegally, to further their cause."

In a statement, the governor also cited "a litany of well-documented cases of this policy that put the public at risk, one of which occurred literally a few blocks away at a Denny's restaurant in 2009 when gang members from El Salvador who had driver's licenses committed a murder."

Marcela Diaz, with the Santa Fe-based Somos Un Pueblo Unido, said the larger question was the fact that Diaz Chacon could acknowledge to being illegal in New Mexico without fear of being deported, but the same might not be the case in other states.

"The question I would ask is, `Would this have played out the same way if we were in Arizona, or Georgia or Alabama?'" she asked.

For his part, Diaz Chacon isn't worried and said he doesn't regret saving the girl.

"I'm not worried. Why should I?" he said. "It's not like I committed a murder or a felony."

Monday, May 30, 2011

As I am sure most people know, everyday Mexico is becoming increasingly more dangerous. As I was reading through the world headlines today I stumbled upon this article. I can't imagine the fear this woman must of felt for herself and the young children in her care. Martha you are one brave woman! Latinos everywhere are so proud of you! Your courage is inspiring!

Mexican teacher praised for protecting kidsMay 30th, 2011 @ 2:24pm

By PORFIRIO IBARRA Associated Press

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) - A kindergarten teacher in northern Mexico was honored Monday for her courage after a video showed her calmly instructing children to duck and cover as gunfire rattled outside their school.A certificate presented by the governor of the northern state of Nuevo Leon said teacher Martha Rivera Alanis showed "outstanding civic courage" in her steady performance during the Friday gunfight in the northern industrial hub of Monterrey.Rivera Alanis proudly held up the framed certificate outside the office of Gov. Rodrigo Medina de la Cruz and said she wasn't concerned with fame _ only the safety of her 5- and 6-year-old students."Of course, I was afraid, but I tell you, my kids get me through it," she said following the private ceremony.Rivera Alanis herself used her cell phone to tape the video, in which she is heard coaxing the 15 children to lie flat on the floor."No, my love, nothing is going to happen, just put your little face on the floor," Rivera Alanis is heard telling one worried little girl.Then, loud bursts of gunfire break out on the video, what local paramedics later confirmed was the sound of gunmen killing five people at a taxi stand about a block from the school.Monterrey has been plagued by a wave of drug-related violence, in which gangs linked to drug cartels have staged gunfights, blocked streets and opened fire on civilians.In the video, the teacher tries to take the kids' minds off the gunfire, leading them in a song popularized by the children's show "Barney & Friends." The song talks about the sky raining candy _ not the bullets that were piercing the air that day."If the rain drops were chocolate, I would love to be there, opening my mouth to taste them," the class sang as they hugged the floor at the Alfonso Reyes school."My only thought was to take their minds off that noise," she told reporters Monday. "So I thought of that song."Rivera Alanis, 33, said she posted the video to her Twitter account, and someone who found it there posted it to the website YouTube.A mother of two children, Rivera Alanis said her young students had set an example for the rest of the city."I'm going to carry on, of course it is possible," she said. "If my 5- and 6-year-olds can do it, it is up to the rest of us to carry on."Rivera Alanis' school and those in several Mexican cities that have been hit by drug violence have held emergency drills in the past to instruct teachers and students what to do in case of gunfire. Such violence has killed more than 35,000 people across Mexico over the past four years."We do drills constantly, because the area where we are is a high-risk zone," she said, adding that the kids "behaved in the way we had practiced."(This version CORRECTS first paragraph to delete incorrect reference to 'drill.')

Friday, October 8, 2010

This guy is making every Latino in American Proud today!! Victor you are so AWESOME!!! You have inspired each of us to pay more attention to things going on around us and to take action when something doesn't seem right. You truly are a living example of the "Good Samaritan".

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I met Mateo's parents when they became subscribers to my youtube channel. I was so impressed with Mateo's piano playing skills I wanted to share him with you. Mateo you are such a skilled pianist. I know you will go far. You have such a beautiful talent. Don't ever be afraid to share it with people.

You can pause the background music by clicking on the player in the bottom right corner.

Monday, November 2, 2009

I get so excited when I see organizations reaching out to the young Latinos in this country. Did you know that Latinos have the lowest high school graduation rate? When I heard this, sadly it didn't surprise me. I hope after watching this each of us feels motivated to reach out to our young Latino brothers and sisters and encourage them to work hard and reach their full potential.

Many of you may know that my husband, referred to often as "The Mexican" is from a very small village in Mexico. His opportunities were few, yet his father has made it possible for each and everyone of his nine children to graduate from high school and receive a college education. My husband has shared many stories with the kids and I of times when they had nothing and yet his father always found the way to provide. Seven 0f the nine children in his family have received a college diploma or are in the process of it. (One is too young to have done that yet.) I know that even in the toughest poverty stricken situations there is a way to succeed, my husband is proof of that. It is my desire to help in any way that I can. Young Latinos need to know they are just as valuable as the next person and if they have a will there is a way.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

This is a little shout out to all of my amigos out there. I would love for you to vote for Lauren. Watch this short video with all the details. It only takes a minute to vote so I hope you will do it! Lauren is such a doll I really hope all the best for this amiga.

Here is a little about Lauren I would like to share with you that she sent me.

"Besides teaching, I have a love for the arts. I have performed in high school productions, as well as in a production that was put on by the Upward Bound Program at New York University. Specifically, I love Acting and Stage Makeup. I enjoy helping people in preparation for a performance. I started the Makeup Production Crew in my high school and even if I had a part in the show, I would also do the other actors’ makeup, as well as scene design and costuming. Upon graduating from Edward R. Murrow High School in 2004, I was the only senior to receive a scholarship award for community service in theater, and this is something that I will always be proud of. I did not look at it as something I was going to awarded for, nor did I think I was going to receive anything for it. The award for me was being a part of the production in many different aspects, and helping others. I have also launched my own makeup related You Tube channel, where I post beauty related tutorials for various holidays, different color combinations, and various makeup themed looks. I have also created videos of various beauty events that I have attended, which has given me the opportunity to network and meet some great people in the industry. My attendance at a makeup event at the M.A.C. Pro Store in N.Y.C. landed me the opportunity to interview three makeup artists that influential and well known. As a result of this, my interviews have been featured on Pursebuzz.com, which is a website owned by the You Tube famed be auty blogger and makeup artist named Elessa N. Vovan, who was one of the people that I interviewed. I live and breathe for my art. I believe that the true measure of an artist is not solely based on talent and technique. It is also based on the amount of time that a person gives to their art, the passion they exude for what they create, and a true appreciation for the art and the impact that it has on the industry as well as other people's lives. I have infused my knowledge in Teaching and in Makeup Artistry in hopes to educate people from all walks of life. I feel that I am truly blessed to have not only found two careers that I love, Early Childhood Education and Makeup Artistry, but to have also found a way to incorporate them together.

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DELORIS VALENZUELA

One outstanding Latino Woman ...This is a picture of my mother. I hesitate to say mother out of deep love and respect I have for my parents that raised me. Please understand.... it's complicated! Deloris passed away just a few short weeks after I was born. She was 27 years old. I don't know a lot about her but what I do know is that she was a wonderful person and loved by her community. Deloris had four children, I was the youngest. My oldest sibling was eight when she passed away. Her name is Lisa. Lisa has the most beautiful memories about Deloris. She remembers how loving and compassionate she was. Deloris loved children, in fact on any typical day you could find many of the neighbor children at her home. As I travel through my daily life I have come in contact with so many wonderful Latinos. Many of them live simple lives and are only known by those in which they reside near. These are great people doing great things everyday. It's my desire to share these people with each of you. I hope their stories will inspire you. It is also my hope that you will share the great Latinos you know with all of us. I dedicate this page to Deloris. You were a great Latino woman! I know someday I will get the chance to meet you in the next life. I look forward to this reunion

The Truth about Mexico

About Me

Secily took this picture...... not bad for a 9 year old. Still, I wouldn't mind looking a little younger and a little thinner, but that's a women for you.... never satisfied. I think the easiest way to describe myself would be to say that I'm a cross between Simon on American Idol and Mother Teresa. Wow! Is that possible? Why Simon? Simple! I always say what everyone is thinking but too afraid to say. I won't lie to you just to make you feel good. On the other hand I care deeply for people. My heart aches for all those that suffer and rejoices for those with reason to rejoice.
My biggest goal in life right now is to raise excellent children that understand the importance of hard work, education, service and love for God. Several years ago I set my own hopes and personal dreams aside to stay home and raise my children. I have to say it was one of the hardest things I ever did. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that it was the right thing to do. As I see my kids growing and turning out to be more then I ever expected, I need to remember that God has blessed me so much, and to him I will always be indebted.